Inspection pit - pros and cons?

Alaskossie · Jan 17, 2009

i have searched for a thread that answers the above question, but no luck. I am designing a combination workshop/garage on 2 levels (woodworking shop below), with an architect. We had approved plans for a 4-bay garage last year, but the cost estimates came in way too high, so I am eliminating one of the bays, and taking other cost-cutting measures.

The adjoining bay originally had an inspection pit ("grease pit") designed into the floor, but to cut cost, I am considering eliminating it an using a H/D 2-post lift instead.

Any thoughts out there on the usefulness or drawbacks of a built-in inspection pit?

Alaskossie
Anchorage, Alaska USA

rsanter · Jan 17, 2009

I would rather have the higher ceiling and the lift than a pit anyday

the pit was from the day when there were no lifts or they were extreamly expensive

my understanding is that they are still currently used for locomotives and big trucks due to size/weight of these type of vehicles

bob

goodfellow · Jan 17, 2009

Pits can be dangerous. Many toxic and flamable gases are heavier than air and will collect in the bottom of the pit -- one little spark can turn the pit into a nightmare. Also, depending on the depth of the pit, toxic gases can accumulate to such a high concentration that you could potentially get asphyxiated, or "pass out" very quickly.
Although rare, in extremen cases the CO2 that you exhale could get concentrated to toxic levels.

I doubt that you'd get approved for a pit in many residential neighborhoods because of the known dangers. Proper drainage is a whole nother issue as well.

Stay with the lift option --

mmg440 · Jan 17, 2009

Besides the point already cover against the pit.
The lift is a lot more useful. A pit wont help when trying to do anything with the wheels or suspension. Also probably be difficult to even fit a tail pipe. A think the lift would be much better for general use.

Another danger of a pit is falling in when there is no car above it.

MetalMangler · Jan 17, 2009

There were a couple of grey hairs my grandfather earned that he couldn't blame on his kids... One story was that he was in his pit with a torch doing some work under his car. He accidentally punctured the gas tank and was in a catch 22 with not being able to A) stop the flow of gasoline, B) turn off the torch, and C) get out of the pit.

This coincides with the information a rapid oil change guy told me that in NY you can't put a pit, in part because of the limited egress points. When I asked how they got around that they pointed out that they have a whole room effectively down below, which provides more room to move and deal with issues.

MM

Alaskossie · Jan 17, 2009

Thanks for the good advice -- I'll go with the lift!

Alaskossie

David Conwill · Feb 13, 2009

Any tips on making a pit livable if you've already got one? Say it came with your house...

Ventilation? Escape routes? Other considerations?

-Dave

Junkman · Feb 13, 2009

David Conwill said:
Any tips on making a pit livable if you've already got one? Say it came with your house...

Ventilation? Escape routes? Other considerations?

-Dave

Make sure your homeowners insurance never finds out about it, and the next thing to do is to fill it in. It is nothing but a liability, and probably wasn't properly built, if it doesn't already have some safety features built into it. Had one build in 1965 when I had a truck shop. Stairs at both ends, had to have a water / oil separator, explosion proof lighting, and a large ventilation fan that went on with the lights. That was 45 years ago that they had these requirements because they realized the dangers then. Even the concrete walls had to have reinforcing in them. If they put a lid on it, it could have served as a bomb shelter.

jay50 · Feb 13, 2009

Back in the 60's, dad had a pit dug in the pole barn.....acutally 2 pits because the first one caved in while we were packing dirt around the edges of the block. That one was covered up and another dug in the stall next to it. It was reinforced with steel in the concrete that was poured on the floor.
We did a lot of work over that pit; pulled many engines, trannes, etc.

We had a wooden ladder at one end to provide access. When not in use, it was covered with 3/4" plywood sheets.
Looking back on it, it was a death trap that we were forunate to have never experienced.

sammerdog · Feb 13, 2009

David Conwill said:
Any tips on making a pit livable if you've already got one? Say it came with your house...

Ventilation? Escape routes? Other considerations?

-Dave

Hey David - I think I know what you're getting at... moving to a new place that already has a pit in the garage, right? The wife and I were looking at a property down on Gun Lake that had a pit in the garage. I thought that would be the cat's pajamas, but got an education real quick-like about vapor dangers, walls caving in, etc.... The sides of the pit had quite a few cracks spider-webbing here there and everywhere - the thought of getting squashed scared me away from the deal. The sellers did have some HEAVY sheets of steel that laid over the pit and fit into recesses cast into the garage floor - I'll take that over wood planks or plywood any day. No floor drain down there - sure looked like a cluster to me as all the snow and rain and stuff would find it's way down there with no where to go.

In a perfect world, it would be great for oil changes and basic stuff, but boy, if something hiccups.....

I hate to say it, but the other guys are right - fill the thing up with dirt and cap it with cement.

v8garage · Feb 14, 2009

I remember when I was little going to some old garages and seeing the pits. I thought they were cool then. I think some oil changing places still use them. However, with the safety and drainage issues I don't think I would want one now. Better to get a good quality lift.

V/8

Inspection pit - pros and cons?

Alaskossie

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rsanter

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goodfellow

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mmg440

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MetalMangler

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Alaskossie

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David Conwill

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Junkman

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jay50

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sammerdog

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v8garage

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